Don’t let the date on the calendar fool you. There is plenty of activity in Cape May County. Charter captains, Party Trips, and boat rentals will be available for the next month or two for sure.
A few reminders about regulations: the flounder season originally scheduled for closure on Sept. 16has been extended 8 days to Sept. 24, tog is open now but only 1 fish per angler, black sea bass remains closed until Sept. 27.
Captain Chuck, Sea Star III, Cape May, says fluke fishing is really hot at the reefs and corals, along with some of the wrecks. Some of his trips have almost limited out.
Sterling Harbor echoes the Captain’s words and agrees flounder fishing has been as good as it gets at the reefs. Many anglers are limiting out with fish in the 22-24 inch range. The largest flounder at the shop this week was 8 pound 8 ounces caught by Rob Ferrante of Pittsgrove, at Cape May Reef. The Marina has also received reports of keeper flounder from the back bays, close to the inlets. Along the beachfront, there is plenty of croaker action just outside the Inlets and around Cape May Point with small bluefish, kingfish and weakfish in the mix. There are plenty of spot and croakers in the back bays to keep the rods bending. Small hooks rigged with Fishbites is the bait of choice.
Offshore, yellowfin tuna are in the Canyons, with some Mahi and Big Eye tuna mixed in. Look for whales when trolling for Big Eye. Crabby Jack says crabbing has improved since the full moon has passed.
Over at Grassy Sound Marina, weakfish and flounder being caught off the pier. Porgies and croakers are in the back with an occasionnal sheepshead and fiddler crabs in Grassy Sound. Crabbing is strong in Turtle Creek along the road.
Grassy Sound Marina is making the most of the 8 day extension of flounder season. Full day boat rentals at the half day rate from Sept. 17 to 24. Also, special 8 Day Extension Flounder Contest. Check out their Web site www.grassysoundmarina.com
NEWS: Sept. 6 is the deadline for the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects. Awards include individuals, businesses, educators, institutions, communities, organizations, youth and others who have made significant contributions to environmental protection in NJ. Information can be found at www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council unanimously approved its first-ever strategic plan. The plan maps out a series of goals and strategies that will guide management activities from 2014 through 2018. Go to www.mafmc.org/strategic-plan.
FYI: This column is going to press before the Labor Day weekend. Look for holiday pics in next week’s column.
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Keep them coming.
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